While we’re only two games into the regular season, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver John Brown is already living up to the hype. Many thought Brown —- brought in this offseason on a one-year, $5 million deal — could come in and rejuvenate the Baltimore deep ball. So far, that seems to be coming to fruition.

Per ESPN, Brown is third among all wide receivers in air yards per target (i.e., how far the ball travels on average per target). In a similar vein, NFL.com’s Next Gen Stats has Brown leading the Ravens with a 35.83 percent share of the team’s targeted air yards.

Though quarterback Joe Flacco has become synonymous with the deep ball — particularly after the “Mile High Miracle” in the 2012 playoffs — the Baltimore offense has largely eschewed the long ball in recent seasons. In 2016 and 2017, Flacco finished near last among all quarterbacks in intended air yards per target — an indicator of an offense afraid to stretch the field.

In addition to a deep threat, Brown has also proved to be an asset in the red zone. The fifth-year receiver now has scores in two straight games, including a highlight-reel grab in last week’s game versus the Cincinnati Bengals. With seven catches for 136 yards in addition to those two touchdowns, Brown leads all Ravens receivers in both yards and touchdowns.

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